Justice and Safety

  • Prison Officers Association (Scotland) conference

    30th October 2019 by

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has thanked prison staff for their commitment and highlighted the recent “well-deserved” Scottish Prison Service pay agreement. Mr Yousaf has been addressing members of the Prison Officers Association (Scotland) at the union’s annual conference in Peebles today and took questions from prison officers as part of a panel session. Dedicated prison...

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  • Throughcare support for people leaving prison

    25th September 2019 by

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has welcomed news that two third sector partnerships will extend the range of support they deliver for people leaving prison. The ‘New Routes’ and ‘Shine’ partnerships, led by Wise Group and Sacro respectively, will make support available for more prisoners released from short term sentences of up to four years. The...

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  • A thank you to justice staff from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice

    24th December 2018 by

    Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf has thanked staff across the Justice System for their efforts year-round and throughout the festive period

    Many of us will be taking time off from work over the festive period. Spending it with our families, sharing gifts and stories and enjoying all that the season has to offer. However the holiday period does not mean a break for everyone. The festive period can be a particularly busy time for Scotland’s police...

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  • Christmas message from Justice Secretary to staff across the Scottish justice system

    19th December 2017 by

    This time of year often makes us think about spending time with families as we enjoy a few well-earned days off.  Let’s spare a thought for those who don’t always have Christmas morning with their kids or grandchildren; who won’t be sitting down to a turkey with loved ones on the 25th. The Scottish Prison...

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  • Supporting Prisoners’ Families, Raising the Standard

    20th June 2017 by

    Andrew McLellan, Chair of the National Prison Visitor Centre Steering Group introduces the new National Standards Framework for Prison Visitor Centres. Prisoners’ families and prisoner’s children in particular often pay a very high price for their family member’s imprisonment. Children with a parent in prison are at a higher risk of experiencing poverty, health and mental...

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  • The week in review

    3rd June 2017 by

    Credit: Scottish Prison Service

    Tackling Trafficking On Tuesday Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson launched Scotland’s Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy, following an extensive public consultation. The strategy aims to identify victims and support them to safety and recovery, to track down perpetrators and disrupt their activity and to address the conditions that can foster human trafficking. Launching the strategy,...

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  • The week in review

    12th May 2017 by

    British Transport Police The Scottish Parliament has approved the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill in principle after a stage one debate. When passed, the draft legislation will see the British Transport Police integrated into Police Scotland, creating a more effective, joined-up police service on Scotland’s railways. The stage one debate was opened by Transport Minister Humza...

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  • Guest blog – Karyn McCluskey – Community Justice Scotland Chief Executive

    7th April 2017 by

    While Parliament is in recess we have invited Karyn McCluskey to give us her thoughts following the official launch of the new national body. Sometimes when we consider the complexity of society and the tremendous challenges it offers us, it can feel overwhelming. Deprivation, homelessness, crime, disease – organisations, processes and plans can seem like...

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  • The week in review

    31st March 2017 by

    Railway policing bill on track On Tuesday the Cabinet Secretary of Justice Michael Matheson and the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf gave evidence to the Justice Committee on the Government’s plans to integrate British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland following the devolution of legislative responsibility for railway policing to the Scottish Parliament. Outlining to...

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  • The week in review

    20th January 2017 by

    A look back on developments across the justice and safer communities portfolio Back on the ‘Street and Arrow’ – giving people a second chance Justice Secretary Michael Matheson visited a pioneering project in Glasgow on Thursday, which gives people with convictions and often a violent past the chance to turn their lives around and gain...

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